Wednesday, August 16, 2006

School started today. I have mixed emotions about the day. I'll share them with you soon. Gotta run!

Updated 8-17-06: So...where did the summer go? The boys' last day of school was June 8 and they had to go back today. It just isn't right. I can remember when summer vacation seemed to last forever. Back in the old days, I spent the day playing outside from morning til my dad whistled for me to come home. There were bike rides, games of 'kick the can', playing GI Joe in the neighbor's sandbox. I made tree forts in the woods and over the creek that ran behind our house. I played with the kids next door and ate popcorn and drank kool-aid. There were the overnight trips to my grandparent's house. Sometimes my grandpa would take me to work with him. He was a livestock buyer for a meat processing plant. I won't make you turn green with all the details, but it was really cool -- seriously! There were times that I got to go along with him to livestock auctions. A truly unique experience that I will remember forever.

Ah yes, summer vacation. Can you remember?

Back on task: I am very proud of my boys -- first grade and sixth grade. I wish them a wonderful year. Love ya guys!

Monday, August 14, 2006

**WeeWonderful bunny. Still needs a face. But wanted to show you how he/she looks so far.

Another whirlwind weekend has whizzed by.Let’s recap the activities:

Friday night- Son No. 1 had a friend over for dinner.After dinner we piled in the mini-van and headed off to Target.Being the pack-rat that I am, I have run out of places to stash my stash.Target had some storage containers on sale and I wanted to get some before the college kids bought them all.I was a little disappointed in the selection, but did find a wide three-drawer model on wheels that will work nicely with the narrow three-drawer model I already have.I also bought a “yarn-tainer”.If you haven’t seen them, you need to take a look.It’s a clear plastic container with a snap-on lid.The lid has a hole in it for your yarn.You pop open thelid, drop in a skein/ball of yarn, thread the yarn through the hole in the top and voila: yarn management for less than five bucks!Get one! Of course I had to it out so I stayed up til midnight and crocheted Son No. 2 a camouflage water bottle cover.(He loves it! And carried it with him all day on Saturday.)

Saturday – spent the morning and part of the afternoon (perfect weather) at the 44th Annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival in Nappanee, IN.Lots of crafty things to look at and spend your money on.We munched on kettle corn while we watched a marionette puppet show (Rumpelstilzkin).The boys ended up with PVC bow and arrows and the wife and I bought a cute sign to hang on the patio fence.We also had a nice lunch and a some fun “family-time”.Makes me smile.

Saturday – part two.Oh Lord!There’s a new pet store in town and the boys have been pleading with us to get them a bunny.So…we caved in and bought them each a bunny rabbit (they are cute) and a cage, and a water bottle, and some bedding, and some Timothy hay, and a food dish, and a salt block.(Are you getting the picture?).Average lifespan of these floppy-ear characters is between 7-10 years. Did we make a huge mistake? Stay tuned.

Sunday – breakfast, bunny time and then off to the lake.It was another perfect day and we took advantage of it.We had a great picnic lunch, went swimming, relaxed on the deck, and later on, ran into town for an ice cream treat.Sunday night was carry-out pizza and more bunny time.The boys took the bunnies out on the patio for some exercise.It’s hard not to like the little critters.

Friday, August 11, 2006

I get sentimental right before the kids go back to school each year. Their summer break is way too short. But we had some great times while they were off. A trip to Disney World in June and a long weekend at Cedar Point in July were two high points of summer. I think the boys had a great time. (I know the wife and I did.) Vacation memories are priceless and I get a little choked up thinking about our good times together. Kids grow up so fast...you need to enjoy all the time you have. (Sniff, sniff).

Oh, the picture? That's a shot I took looking across the swimming pool at Cedar Point's Lighthouse Place campground. Those are cottages in the background and just past the cottages is Lake Erie. It's a great place to visit. I highly recommend it as a family vacation spot.

Wow…it’s Friday again. Let’s see. What have I accomplished this week? The bunny is 80% done (still needs some facial features). Although…I suppose I could skip the eyes, nose and mouth and say it’s an Amish bunny. Okay. Maybe not.

The patriotic bib (new size/shape) is about 80% finished as well. Still needs top-stitched and some famous hook-and-loop. I used a baby flannel for the batting this time and I like the weight and general ‘feel’. I’m using the flannel for the other bibs that are in the WIP pile.

I’m making a list of items to make as Christmas gifts this year. Every year we say we’re going to make 90% of the gifts we give. And we run out of time every year. But, this year is going to be different! Mark my words. Personally, I prefer a handcrafted gift over store-bought gift any day. Can I get an “Amen!”? Alright then.

Not sure if we’re going to the Arts & Crafts Festival at Amish Acres this weekend. It’s a FANTASTIC show and we’ve missed the last two years, so perhaps we’ll venture down to Nappannee and check things out. The weather is supposed to be really nice. The heat wave has moved on – the temperature has been perfect.

I still need to upload some pics. I did set up a Flickr account. I’m not an expert at it, but there’s time for that.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

I know, I know, I haven't posted in a long time. Time just seems to slip by.

Anyhow....my button swap buddy, Betty Bea sent me the nicest selection of vintage buttons. I'm sure I will put them to good use. I'm working on some Wee Wonderful creations and I think some of those buttons just might end up being the eyes for bunnies, bears and kitty cats.

I say it all the time, but I just don't seem to have the time or energy at the end of the day to do any crafting. Maybe it's been the HOT HOT HOT weather we've had. Sound familiar? But seriously, every day on my way to work I'm thinking, "Okay, tonight I'll finish the bunny and the bib I started and cut out the cool country/chicken fabric for another baby bib." But...after I get home, have dinner, spend some time with the wife and kids and do chores, I'm POOPED!

Pictures need to be uploaded from the camera too. There are tons of them on there...many of them need to be posted here.

During my web-surfing, I have seen SO MANY cool crafting blog sites. Wow....there are a ton of creative people out there. It is wonderful. Amazing.

I'm motivated to get some things done. Please leave an encouraging message!